North Carolina Immigration Activist Tests New Obama Deportation Policy

Uriel Alberto, a young illegal immigrant, came out of the shadows when he a two other activists disrupted a North Carolina legislative session in February, which resulted in their arrest for disorderly conduct. Now Alberto is facing deportation which could be a test for President Obama’s new deportation policy for young immigrants.

Under the new policy, President Obama instructed ICE to focus on deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records. The President promised to halt deportations of young immigrants, who are under thirty, and were brought into the U.S. as children as long as they attended school or served in the military, and are not guilty of committing any felonies or “serious” misdemeanors.

Many of these young people, often referred to as ‘Dreamers,’ had no choice when they were brought here illegally. Before the change in policy, these young people were faced with the possibility of deportation, only preventable by having an expert immigration attorney, and being forced to return to a country they never knew.

Unfortunately, Alberto, despite being an accomplished track star with hopes of attending university may be deported because he has a criminal record, including a conviction for DUI under the age of 21 and a charge of assault by his former wife, which was later dropped. He also has numerous traffic violations on his record.

Now Alberto is facing a charge of disorderly conduct. His case will be a test of what the Obama Administration considers a “serious” misdemeanor and could hinge on the defense strategy of his immigration lawyer.

Alberto’s case will be a test for the new deportation policy. His trial is set for September.

Alberto has a young daughter, and highlights one of the key goals of a fair immigration policy, keeping families together. Immigration attorneys are often able to build a deportation defense on the basis of letting families stay together.